An Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Friday admitted Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and Ponfa Useni, son of late minister, Jeremiah Useni, to bail in the sum of N10 million each over an alleged property fraud in the United Kingdom.
The trial judge, Chizoba Orji, ordered each of the defendants to provide one surety in like sum.
The surety, the court held, must be resident in Abuja and own verifiable landed property within the FCT.
The court also directed the defendants to deposit their passports and ruled that they must perfect the bail conditions on or before March 2, 2026.
Ozekhome and Useni, who is also known as Tali Shani, were arraigned on an amended 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and unlawful control of a UK property.
Both pleaded not guilty.
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The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that an amended charge dated February 25, 2026 had replaced the earlier one.
He urged the court to adopt the amended charge alongside proof of evidence running into 501 pages.
Justice Orji granted the application and admitted the amended processes.
Oyedepo further asked the court to allow accelerated hearing of the matter, citing public interest and the standing of the legal profession. He also requested that strict bail conditions be imposed to guarantee the defendants’ attendance.
Counsel to Ozekhome, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), did not oppose the request for accelerated hearing and thanked the prosecution for not contesting the bail application.
He told the court that his client had consistently honoured invitations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), adding that Ozekhome’s international passport was already with the EFCC.
Oyetibo argued that as a senior lawyer with an established law practice in Abuja, Ozekhome was not a flight risk and should be granted bail on self-recognition.
Counsel to the second defendant, S.R. Onoja, also sought bail on liberal terms, citing his client’s heart condition and the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
However, the prosecution maintained that although the passports were already in EFCC custody, the court should impose conditions it considered appropriate to ensure attendance at trial.
Oyedepo also raised concerns over what he described as the unusually large number of defence lawyers — said to be about 91 — and urged that the figure be streamlined.
In her ruling, Justice Orji granted bail in the sum of N10million each with one surety in like sum, insisting that the surety must own verifiable property in Abuja.
She further ordered that the defendants’ passports be deposited with the court.
The case was adjourned to March 13, April 15 and April 16, 2026 for trial.
